Basically, am a 22 year old who is currently on ESA (assessment phase) ended up being very sick, to the point the Uni told me I needed to drop out of the course I was doing as missed a fair bit of time to appointments/sickness) I had a fit note from end of December 2015 that expires on the 6th of April.. so know when that runs out, I know I will need to basically get back into job seeking... Due to my family's low income and the whopping student finance debt I have now gotten, I know I need to get a job pronto, have cancelled as many of my appointments as I can see possible.. but I was just curious as to the whole swapping over thing? how would I go on from ESA to JSA now? thanks...

1. Presumably they will stop your ESA payments automatically If you have any documentation it might have a helpline on for you to report you no longer wish to have ESA or they will send you a letter indicating they have terminated it.

Alternatively contact JobCentre Plus.

2. JSA will count as a fresh claim, so there will be no transfer as you have to make a different set of commitments i.e to look for work as part of your jobseekers agreement. You get no payment for the first 8 days of your claims, so make one asap.

You could get Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) if all of the following apply:

Basically, am a 22 year old who is currently on ESA (assessment phase) ended up being very sick, to the point the Uni told me I needed to drop out of the course I was doing as missed a fair bit of time to appointments/sickness) I had a fit note from end of December 2015 that expires on the 6th of April.. so know when that runs out, I know I will need to basically get back into job seeking... Due to my family's low income and the whopping student finance debt I have now gotten, I know I need to get a job pronto, have cancelled as many of my appointments as I can see possible.. but I was just curious as to the whole swapping over thing? how would I go on from ESA to JSA now? thanks...

So you're still being assessed? When did your assessment phase start and what have been told since then? Have you filled in and sent off the huge form (ESA50?)? Unless they've told you that you're not eligible for ESA you shouldn't have to go on JSA when your fit note ends.

(Original post by SmallTownGirl)
So you're still being assessed? When did your assessment phase start and what have been told since then? Have you filled in and sent off the huge form (ESA50?)? Unless they've told you that you're not eligible for ESA you shouldn't have to go on JSA when your fit note ends.

In a nutshell it started 15th December, and in short, nothing :/ I did the ESA50 beginning of January... got signed off for anxiety, depression... chronic fatigue syndrome, also have aspergers, dyspraxia, IBS and asthma... thanks for replying x

(Original post by Samwin)
In a nutshell it started 15th December, and in short, nothing :/ I did the ESA50 beginning of January... got signed off for anxiety, depression... chronic fatigue syndrome, also have aspergers, dyspraxia, IBS and asthma... thanks for replying x

If you started getting paid from the 15th December then your 13-week assessment phase should have ended on the 15th March. If 15th December was when you first applied then your assessment phase should have ended a week later than that. Unless you have been assessed as ineligible for ESA then your claim should not end at the end of your fit note. Phone up and find out whether you need to get another fit note.

No no no no no...ESA may have a 13 week assessment phase but this can go on longer than that and is building up to a work capability assessment with a doctor which you have to go to to see if you can move onto full ESA. It may only take longer than 13 weeks because of the waiting list for the work capability assessments! You definitely do not simply go back onto JSA after 13 weeks - of course you can if you like, but your ESA claim won't end until you've had the assessment and the decision is no. You can then also appeal this while going back on JSA.

Also check if a thing called Universal Credit is active in your area yet - if it is, you could have to wait 6 weeks or more for money from them. This is a replacement for JSA. But like I say there is zero reason for your ESA claim to be closed unless you close it yourself - wait for the assessment.

(Original post by 999tigger)
You should confirm with them that your cclaim has ended, tbh I think any corrspondence will make this clear. If not ring them up and confirm the status of your claim. Takes a few minutes to sort out.

DWP correspondence about ESA is anything but clear unfortunately. It's written in the least clear language possible.

(Original post by PQ)
DWP correspondence about ESA is anything but clear unfortunately. It's written in the least clear language possible.

I dont have any problem with it. You can simply use common sense and ring them or go into a JS+ and get someone to help if you cnat do that.

This is my number, please can you check whether my claim is active and what will happen to my claim when the fit note ends. Its simply common sense if you dont know yourself ask a person who does. This isnt hard.

He can be proactive and ask now instead of waiting for the sky to fall in.

(Original post by 999tigger)
I dont have any problem with it. You can simply use common sense and ring them or go into a JS+ and get someone to help if you cnat do that.

This is my number, please can you check whether my claim is active and what will happen to my claim when the fit note ends. Its simply common sense if you dont know yourself ask a person who does. This isnt hard.

He can be proactive and ask now instead of waiting for the sky to fall in.

Is there any reason whty you cant get another fit note? Have you talked to your GP to see if they will give you one?

You might as well stay on ESA whilst your claim is still live. You need a determination. They might actually find for you, so be patient. if successful as that is likely to mean more money and more favourable terms than JSA.

I'd stay on ESA personally. There's nothing to stop you from looking for work yourself. If you decide to do that, you're not faced with the pressure of applying for x amount of jobs and whatever else the job centre want you to do.